Network Director

Hey everyone! My name is Lara Castaneda and I am currently a first-year medical student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Middletown. I was born and raised in Westchester, New York. For my undergraduate, I attended Stony Brook University where I majored in Health Science and minored in Chemistry. Since starting medical school, my commitment to increasing awareness and encouraging communication around AAPI medical concerns motivated me to Co-Found and serve as President for my local APAMSA chapter. Outside of school, I love trying new food spots, traveling, and playing volleyball. I’m excited to serve as your Database Director and continue my commitment to supporting the APAMSA community.

Hi everyone! My name is Angeline Yu and I am incredibly excited to serve as Network Director this year. I am a current junior at Stanford University majoring in Science, Technology, and Society and pursuing my Masters in Community Health and Prevention Research, Contemplative Sciences track. I currently work as a undergraduate research assistant in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences studying the effects of early life adversity on anxiety and binge alcohol drinking behaviors as my funded research project, also affiliated with Stanford Maternal Child Health Institute. I have also worked with Stanford’s Center for Asian Health Research and Education on a key informant study identifying the impact of COVID-19 and Anti-Asian hate on Asian immigrant elderly and strategies to alleviate burdens and provide resources. Thus, I find my passion and purpose in medicine deeply interconnected with women’s health, AAPI health, and mental health and well-being through contemplative practices. I have been involved with my local APAMSA chapter since my freshman year of college, and I currently serve as Stanford Pre-Med APAMSA Chapter President in addition to my position in National APAMSA! Outside of my pre-medical studies, I compete for the Stanford Equestrian Team, enjoy frequenting cozy cafes, and exploring new food places!

Hello everyone! My name is Jennifer and I am a 2nd year medical student at California Health Sciences University. I was born in China and moved to San Jose, California when I was 4. I completed my B.A. in Asian Studies at Vanderbilt University and then obtained an M.S. in Physiology from Georgetown University. As an APAMSA chapter president and your Director of Organized Medicine, my goal is to highlight AANHPI voices beyond the stereotypical

Howdy! I am a third-year medical student at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV and a previous APAMSA National Conference Director. I am so excited to work with you all as Rapid Response Director!

Before medicine, I completed a BS in Foreign Service at Georgetown University and studied public health at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health. During my time as an undergraduate, I co-organized with student activists for the university’s first Asian American Studies courses, which sparked my interest in AANHPI data disaggregation, healthcare disparities, and social determinants of health. This constellation of experiences and education ultimately motivated me to return home to study medicine in Las Vegas, where AANHPIs remain poorly characterized despite the fact that Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial demographic and Hawaiians fondly call the city the “Ninth Island.” To honor the words of activist Grace Lee Boggs, “The most radical thing I ever did was to stay put.”

Hi! My name is Sarah and I am an incoming MS1 at Case Western Reserve University SOM with roots in Seoul, Korea and Irvine, California. During my time as an undergrad at Stanford, I studied Human Biology with a concentration in Health Policy, my interests of which stemmed from my personal experience dealing with high costs of care in my family. I am excited to return to this position to educate myself and the APAMSA community about health policy and the actions that we can take as a collective to advocate for those we care about.

Previously, I served as the Editor Director on the National Board during the 2022-2023 term and was a Co-president of the Stanford Pre-Med APAMSA Chapter. I am excited to start my second term as the Health Policy Director on the National Board. In my free time, you can find me seeking out the next live music concert, taking pictures of my friends, playing tennis (badly), and playing the violin (acceptably).

Hello everyone! My name is Amelia Huynh and I am a third-year medical student at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. I was born in San Francisco and graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. Afterwards, I pursued my M.S. at Keck Graduate Institute where I had the pleasure of working with with Pfizer Inc. Serving as your Membership Vice President, I am committed to upholding our roots and to promoting cross cultural healthcare practices that honor and respect the diversity of our community. Ultimately, my goal in APAMSA is to build an inclusive and equitable support system that ensures every member is provided with the care and resources they need to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, food blogging, watching anime, and going to Disneyland!

Hi everyone! My name is Jessica Hsueh, and it is my honor to serve again as your Membership Vice President! I am a current medical student at Georgetown University School of Medicine. During medical school, I spent a year conducting research at the National Institutes of Health as part of the Medical Research Scholars Program. I am originally from the Los Angeles area and went to California State University, Los Angeles for my undergraduate education. I have been involved with APAMSA since 2020 and started out as a local chapter co-president before becoming a Region 3 Director, Database Director, and eventual Membership Vice President. In my free time, I enjoy kickboxing, watching Los Angeles sports (especially football), eating food as a Yelp Elite, and traveling.

Hello, my name is Paul Tominez and I am a medical student at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. Before medical school, I attended the University of California, Davis where I received my B.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Previously, I served as a local chapter leader and one of the Region 8 Co-Directors. My current medical interests are in general surgery, global health, and health systems improvement. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, taking care of my plants, and cooking. I am excited to be serving you as one of your Membership Vice Presidents!

Hi there, I’m Sandra Phanita Kumwong, I am a full-spectrum doula and current DO student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem, NY. I’m a born and raised New Yorker with Thai-Mon-Teochew heritage. I obtained my Bachelor’s in Sociology with minors in Asian American Studies and Biology from Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College. I was a Community Health Program Coordinator at the National Black Leadership Commission on Health where I implemented NYC’s first COVID outreach and vaccination equity programs. I’m passionate about Reproductive Justice and worked as a sexual health educator in a youth clinic (The Door NYC), in public high schools (Peer Health Exchange), and as a gynecological skills instructor for students in medical professions. I plan to practice sexual and reproductive health care with holistic and justice-minded lenses. I currently train and mentor young doulas and reproductive justice advocates with Advocates for Youth. You can read some of my works in “Becoming an Abortion Doula” in Colonize This! 2nd edition and AACOM “Bridging the East and West through Osteopathic Medicine. In my spare time, I love to take long walks with no destinations, practice yoga, and bird watch!

Hello! My name is Tori Nguyen, and I am an incoming fourth-year medical student at UCISOM with plans to apply into Neurology. I am a sunny, southern California girl at heart and grew up in Anaheim, CA near Disneyland. Last year, as Pre-Health Director, I was thrilled to launch the Big Sib, Lil Sib Program and help pre-medical students with career advancement. This year, I am so excited to continue fostering connections between our growing family and create longitudinal mentorship opportunities for our APAMSA members as Strategy VP. For self-care, I like to practice (and teach!) yoga, explore coffee shops, journal by the beach, go to concerts, and spend quality time with my family. I am so grateful for the lifelong friends I have made through APAMSA and look forward to seeing what we accomplish together this year!